How Writing Has Improved My Life

The simple act of writing, either with paper and pen or laptop, has become a tool I use to shape my life.

Take lists for example. I’ve always used lists for practical, everyday things like groceries or things I need to do.

But lately I’ve started making different kinds of lists. These have become a way to organize my thoughts and ideas. I’ve written lists of simple actions, definitions, suggestions concerning creativity, and notes about how to incorporate them into my life. I’ve found out that by building on these lists I can also define my goals for the future.

These new lists have been providing me with ideas about things I can do to get out of my everyday routine or broaden or change my point of view. Each item seems to provide options, alternatives, and otherwise help me experience a richer, in-the-moment, life. Sometimes they help me learn something new about myself or about the world around me.

By writing things down, I’m also helping my memory. This may sound ridiculously obvious, but I’m talking about how my brain actually processes and retains information. During college I conducted an experiment about how humans remember things. Apart from learning that we all have different ways of absorbing information, I learned that I am able to remember and assimilate information much easier by writing it down…longhand.

So the physical act of writing with pen and paper (and possibly by typing it into my laptop), combined with my drawing has become not only a source of great satisfaction, but also a way for me to build a road map through my life; past, present and future.

Making lists is one of many ways to start writing. What would you list? Here are a few suggestions for exercises from my own lists:

Learn to ride a bicycle, or take a bike ride. Write down 5 things you saw on your ride that you had not noticed before. Write down how riding a bike makes you feel. This will strengthen your ability to observe, experience and enjoy the world around you.

Write down 5 things you are afraid to do (ride a bike, give a speech, go anywhere by yourself, take a balloon ride, [fill in the blank.]) Pick one and do it. This will strengthen your self-confidence.

Fly a kite, build a sandcastle, sing in the shower, bake cupcakes, eat an ice cream cone – preferably with a child. Make a list of simple activities that you’ve enjoyed or make you feel good. This will remind you to treat yourself lovingly, and remind you to be joyful.

Art & Creative Thought

I have written a book entitled Make Art, Be Happy, and I am sharing excerpts and additional companion material here.

• I believe you can improve your feelings of fulfillment and happiness, and overall quality of life by accessing more of your right-brain through making art.
• I believe that ‘making art’ can be anything you are passionate about and do well, and are willing to pursue consistently.
• I believe everyone is born with the capacity to be creative.
• And I believe that in the current world crisis of plummeting job growth and financial disaster we could all use more creative thinking to design solutions to our own challenges.

Make Art, Be Happy is for anyone who:

• Feels too disillusioned to take the first step, start again, change your point of view, learn new skills, or “think outside the box” towards changing your life.
• Has been discouraged at any age from freely expressing yourself in art, music, or in anything you do well and love.
• Is looking for hope or needs something in life to be excited or passionate about, or to look forward to.
• Has carefully designed and planned your life only to find yourself derailed and paralyzed by circumstances beyond your control.
• Has no idea what to do with the years between midlife and the end of your life.

My goal in Make Art, Be Happy is to provide a resource with the right mix of inspiration, motivation and practical application to inspire you to be unafraid to live and work creatively and enjoy a richly rewarding life in spite of the curve balls thrown by today’s unpredictable world. You are much more resilient than you may think!